Auld Lang Syne...

This year has certainly been a fun, outrageous, hilarious, and a puppy filled year. It’s strange how a year can pass in just the blink of an eye!

When I started this blog a year ago, I had no clue what I was in for. It was therapeutic to be able to vent, laugh, cry, create, and share. There were times I felt like a TEENAGE DRAMA QUEEN… and  there were times I wondered if the adults were losing their minds. Kind of felt like the children were acting more mature than the adults.

I've had some FIRSTS… I received my driver's license… I found my first love… I received my first kiss… I survived a dorm room filled with teenage girls... and I had a reality check on friendship... My friends who I thought were my friends had no clue what friendship meant.

I’ve lost and I’ve won… My heart has ached missing family members who have passed… I’ve enjoyed nurturing my love of the violin… and I’ve loved being a mom to “Baby Puppy”. Most of all I learned patience, compassion, kindness, respect, and love is the foundation of family and friendship.

My wish for you this New Year's Eve is love of family and friends... generosity and  compassion for others... and my thanks for keeping me company on Saturday mornings!

 XOXO, Penelope

  

Merry Christmas...

Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas...

 

Faithful family and friends who are dear to me... although we are apart you remain in my heart... Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas now!

XOXOXO to all and my angel Grandma Jane, 
Penelope (the girl in the Santa Hat)

Reindeer Chow...

Shopping List:

• 1 Box Chex Corn Cereal - 12 oz
• 1 cup chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup peanut butter
• 1/3 cup butter
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 2 cups pretzel pieces
• 2 cups Christmas M&M's

Step 1

Pour Chex cereal into a large bowl and set aside.

Step 2

In another bowl combine chocolate chips, peanut butter, and butter. Melt in microwave on high heat for 1 minute. Stir and continue heating for another 30 seconds. Remove from microwave.

Step 3

Add in the vanilla extract then stir well.

Step 4

Pour chocolate mixture over the cereal and stir to evenly distribute.

Step 5

In a gallon sized Ziploc bag pour in 2 cups of powdered sugar. Add the chocolate Chex mix, seal, and shake well.

Step 6

Pour Chex mix into a bowl, then add pretzel and M&M's. Mix well and pour into Reindeer Pots.

May your Saturday be filled with yummy REINDEER TREATS!!! 

33...

It all started 33 years ago today...

My parents said "I do" and started our little family. Today, my siblings and I celebrate them and a love that has spanned over 35 years.

Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad! We love you around the Moon, past the Milky Way, to Infinity, and Beyond. This beautiful Saturday morning I celebrate and congratulate those who have found love and in the words of my Dad... "I love my life"!

Papa Elf...

When the Stockings are hung...

 

and the Nativity Scene displayed...

and Snowman and Santa's from every culture emerge from their totes...

and Granpa Bill's tree is decorated for the count down to begin...

to make way for the most wonderful time of the year...

The last ornament is placed on the Christmas tree and then it happens...

 

A tradition that has been in our family for over 30 years. The original Elf on the Shelf makes an appearance to watch over my siblings and I to keep tabs on who's naughty and nice... allow me to introduce you to Papa Elf!

May your Saturday be filled with tradition and preparation for the season of Hope, Faith, and Love!

The Day After...

So... like most of you I have succumbed to laziness as result of an awesome

 feast!

My hope was to be relaxing on the couch all day. Mom had other plans for us.

We tackled the Christmas project...

We did a little Black Friday shopping...

We had a little more Turkey with all the fixins...

AND finally got to be lazy!

This beautiful crisp Saturday morning we begin to prepare the house for Christmas. Wishing you all a Turkey induced lazy Saturday.

Reindeer Games...

I'm so excited as the Holidays are just around the corner. The day after Thanksgiving my family... okay, let me rephrase that... the women in my family create a Christmas project. This year I chose Reindeer candy pots.

I hope you enjoy making these as much as Mother enjoyed burning her fingers with the hot glue gun creating the prototype for my blog. Yes... I'm away at another Chess tournament this weekend. My poor Mother does not have a creative bone in her body and I begged her to make the prototype. If she can make this ANYONE can make it! 

To create a Rudolph Candy Pot you will need the following items:

• Terracotta pot (Mom used a 4" pot)
• Christmas Red Tinsel Pom Poms
• Dark Brown Chenille Stems 
• 12mm Wiggle Eyes
• Hot Glue Gun
• Ruler

Step 1 - Hot glue the Wiggle Eyes on the pot

 

Step 2 - Hot glue the Red Tinsel Pom Pom Nose

Step 3 - Antler Stem cut to 8" and Antlers to 2"

Step 4 - Hot glue 2" Antlers to 8" Stem

 

Step 5 - Hot glue Antlers inside the pot

 

Finished!

Add your favorite treats and make someone's Day!

On behalf of all of us at Saturdays with Penelope, wishing you and yours a Happy Thanksgiving!

Reality Check... Yes... It's Friday!

Reality check...

As my country continues to act like children throwing tantrums because we have freedom of speech, religion, and oh... a DEMOCRACY. I choose to thank the men and women who fought and lost their lives for the freedom we take for granted.

Today, I thank my Grandfather who served in the Air Force and celebrates Veteran's Day today!

My Grandfather or Tata Candido is Puerto Rican. He was born in Puerto Rico and his family migrated to Chicago to live the American dream.

He was raised during a time where your word was gold and a hand shake was a binding contract. Amazing how much life has changed.

He raised his family to have a strong work ethic and integrity. He raised his family to be responsible and to be accountable for their actions. Words are powerful... speak kindly, listen, treat others with care and respect.

To all the men and women who serve to protect the freedom that so many take for granted... Thank you... To all the first responders that continue to run toward the fire and people yelling for help while everyone else is running in the opposite direction... Thank you!

Tata Candido... you're loved... thank you for my life. Thank you for your service and Bendicion Tata!